Since you haven't spent a day in the service as far as I can tell (dressing up for reenactments on the weekends doesn't count), you might have missed a valuable leadership lesson. Leaders take care of their subordinates (chow, hotels, whatever). Leaders put themselves last after everything else is accomplished ("Mission, men, me" was beat into my head). Leaders keep their people informed and motivated, regardless of the circumstances. What happened this week is a leadership failure, plain and simple.

It's telling that here we are on Friday with zero commo from higher except "fend for yourselves and good luck." The culture is broken here, which is nothing new, but this week brings it sharply into focus. Why you, or anyone else, defends that is beyond reason.